Atlanta rap artist Rich Homie Quan, known for Type of Way and Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh), died Thursday in Atlanta.

DeQuante’s Devontay Lamar, 34, was one of Atlanta’s veteran artists. Raised in DeKalb County in east Atlanta, Lamar entered Atlanta’s nascent rap scene in 2011 after being incarcerated in a Georgia prison following a series of break-ins. His first hit, Type of Way, on his third mixtape, led to deeper connections in Atlanta’s music circles, including with Gucci Mane and Birdman and eventually rapper Young Thug.

Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug scored a smash hit in 2014 with the song “Lifestyle,” which propelled them both to the top of the charts, earned them a spot on XXL’s Freshman Class, and brought them major success. But their musical partnership soon disintegrated, which prosecutors say led to a catastrophic dispute between two factions of the Atlanta street gang Bloods. Among the victims of this conflict was Corey Lamar, Rich Homie Quan’s father, who was shot and killed by rival gang members in his barbershop.

Prosecutors charged Jeffery Williams – Young Thug – in 2022 in a wide-ranging organized crime and gang violence case against the YSL street gang. The trial became the longest criminal case in Georgia history. Rich Homie Quan, Birdman and other rappers were named as possible witnesses in the trial.

Rich Homie Quan was known for his distinctive style, a melodic approach that acknowledged the trap sensibilities of Atlanta rap without surrendering to them. He was an ardent opponent of rap’s increasing lyrical focus on street life, crime, and violence.

His death and his influence are increasingly being recognized in Atlanta’s music scene.

“Damn little brother we were just talking about making a video,” Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz said on Instagram. “Especially praying for you and your family and anyone struggling with anything. My condolences brother.”